Indicating that the government is planning to go ahead with the 163-megawatt Athirappilly hydel power project, Electricity Minister M.M. Mani told the Assembly on Tuesday that the land acquisition for the project was on.
In reply to a question by N. Shamsudeen on the intention of starting new hydel power projects, the Minister said 15 projects were under the consideration of the government. The Athirappilly project across the Chalakudy river figured as the last project on the list.
Even as he gave the written answer, the Minister said the government would seek consensus on executing the project. The Minister said the government was also for more solar, wind, and thermal projects to overcome the increasing power demands of the State.
The reply revealed that the government is going ahead with the controversial project despite opposition from various quarters, including the CPI.
The Minister had announced recently that the government had not shelved the proposed power project though it was a highly sensitive issue.
Meanwhile, Leader of the Opposition Ramesh Chennithala asked the Chief Minister to withdraw from the move to go ahead with the project. In a letter to the Chief Minister, the Opposition leader pointed out that the UDF had already made it clear that the government should not proceed ahead with the project as it would have vast consequences.
The locals, including tribal people, in the project areas were against the project. The Gadgil committee report and Kasturirangan report had also opposed it. The project would submerge over 140 hectares of forest land and wipe out the iconic waterfalls that attracted 8-12 lakh tourists annually, he said.
Initially, the project was estimated to cost ₹300 crore. But, now the cost would be ₹1,500 crore and it would not be feasible. Pointing out that there was no consensus even in the LDF, the Opposition leader asked the government to abandon the project.
